Blew $150 on a fancy carbide blade that dulled after one heavy project

I picked up a premium carbide tipped circular saw blade last month thinking it would last me through a whole deck rebuild. After cutting through just 20 feet of treated lumber with some hidden nails, it started smoking and grabbing badly. The teeth looked fine but it just wouldn't cut straight anymore. I tried sharpening it myself with a diamond file but that only made things worse. Now I'm back to using my $30 Diablo blades that I swap out more often. Those expensive blades are a trap if you ever hit anything harder than clean pine. Has anyone else had better luck with a specific brand for mixed material cutting?

2 comments

2 Comments

stella_roberts24d ago

Totally been there, spent $120 on a "pro grade" blade that chunked out on one nail and was toast. Swore off fancy blades ever since and just buy the mid range ones in bulk now.

dixon.felix24d ago

I mean, maybe it's just me but I wonder if the problem isn't the blade itself but how we store them, I've seen guys toss fancy blades loose in a toolbox and then blame the steel when it chips.